Intricate details and peerless artisanship take the crown in Hermès’ newest time-telling gem from its Arceau collection, the Mon Premier Galop. The signature collection, conceived as an earnest nod to the Maison’s saddle making beginnings, is renowned for its versatility in transitions. Retaining only its asymmetrical stirrup-shaped case attachment, Arceau watches have donned numerous façades through the years. A stellar element that sets the collection apart from its contemporaries lies in its embrace of highly demanding and creative crafts for its watches’ appearance – the latest Arceau Mon Premier Galop extends the collection’s legacy.

The first Arceau timepiece was an oeuvre of Hermès’ legendary artistic director, Henri d’Origny, designed almost four decades ago in 1978. A descendant of a wondrous collection, the mechanical self-winding Mon Premier Galop flourishes a dial fashioned through an amalgam of leather marquetry, silk threads and hand-painted miniature motifs. The timepiece’s unique aesthetic depicts a cheery reimagination of the Mon Premier Galop shawl by designer Tong Ren – inspirited by the craft of traditional basketry, the Chinese-born artist brought together simple strokes, blocks of colours and delicate patterns.

Imbued with strands of nature, Tong’s drawing illustrates a horse striding across the sand with a fluttering butterfly alongside it as the sun and clouds frolic above. The slight hesitation in the horse’s gait reflects a sense of boldness demanded by the initial steps of horseback – a graceful instant is induced upon this, an attribute mirrored in the Maison’s watchmaking.

Atop the dial’s sky blue base, the instant springs into existence as it is pedantically put together in a 30-piece jigsaw puzzle format. To fabricate the sky and sun, Hermès’ horologists utilised enamel in an elaborate technique that sees numerous enamel layers applied with a brush before being kiln-dried to accent the hues and contrasts. As for the majestic star of the show, the galloping horse constitutes threads of silk alongside fine tesserae in assorted shades of 0.5 mm-thick leather. Enhancing the ornate display is a minute gold mobile applique painted entirely by hand.

With a stunning 38mm case in white gold that flaunts a bezel with 82 carefully set diamonds, the watch dances to the rhythm of the Manufacture Hermès H1912 movement. The fine details of the Arceau Mon Premier Galop continue to unravel – a sapphire case-back bears the strewing of ‘H’ motifs while the strap in Zephyr blue Swift calfskin underscores the concert of weaves and light on the watch face.

Issued in a production limited to 24 pieces, the Hermès Arceau Mon Premier Galop watch symbolises the distinct union of horological brilliance and artistry.

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Images by Hermès.